Nina Carberry will have her first ride in the John Smith's Grand National when she lines up on Forest Gunner in the Aintree showpiece on Saturday week.

The 12-year-old captured all the headlines 12 months ago as he was partnered by trainer Richard Ford's wife, Carrie, in the big race.

Mrs Ford, a previous winner of the Fox Hunter Chase at Aintree, found herself the centre of intense media attention after coming out of retirement and lost nothing in defeat when completing the course to finish fifth behind Hedgehunter.

However, much to the relief of Ford, his wife will not be on board this year.

"I'm delighted for John and Barbara Gilsenan (owners) that Nina is available and I'm more than happy to have her on board," he said.

"More than likely she will come down to have a sit on him but we will work that out as we go along."

Carberry is looking forward to renewing her association with the Gunner B gelding after getting the leg up in the Becher Chase last November.

"I'm looking forward to it - I can't wait," she said.

"I rode him in the Becher Chase last year but he just slipped going into the third so hopefully I will get round this time."

Peter Buchanan partnered Forest Gunner in his last two starts at Kelso and Wetherby but he has opted to ride for Howard Johnson instead.

"The owners wanted someone who could stick with the horse and that was why Nina rode in the Becher Chase. We thought Peter Buchanan was going to be on Strong Resolve and that our targets would clash with his," explained Ford.

"It didn't work out that way but Peter has decided to ride Tyneandthyneagain."

Forest Gunner has been pulled up on his last two runs and he has not been seen since Boxing Day.

Ford added: "All my horses were wrong at the end of last year and he just wasn't himself at Kelso or Wetherby.

"He's back to form now though and I couldn't be happier with him.

"He's done it very well in the past over the National fences and hopefully it can go that way again this year."